Not Looking Away But Looking In

T.V. SUBHASH IAS
EDITOR

It began with a promise. And a plan. When investment interest worth over Rs. 1.75 lakh crore is channelled into a state repositioning itself as an emerging industrial destination, it marks a moment of quite significance. Kerala is swiftly redrawing its place on the global investment map. The Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025 was not just another event. It was a declaration. A packed calendar of roadshows, sectoral sessions and global dialogues laid the groundwork. What followed was a wave of expressions of interest from over 400 companies. The result is not merely a headline. It marks a shift in perception. The strategy is methodical. The state is adopting the tools of the fourth industrial revolution. It is focusing on artificial intelligence. It is investing in green energy. It is encouraging advanced manufacturing. Yet it has not lost sight of its roots.

Traditional sectors like coir, handloom and cashew are being revitalised through design thinking, technology and global branding. Under the Pinarayi Vijayan government, the entrepreneurial landscape has undergone a quiet transformation. The Year of Enterprises initiative has led to the creation of over 3.49 lakh MSMEs, drawing in Rs. 22,437 crore in investment and generating more than 7.42 lakh jobs. With trained professionals at every local body and help desks supporting entrepreneurs, enterprise has reached the grassroots. The startup ecosystem has also come of age. Over 6,400 startups now thrive in Kerala. They are supported by innovation grants, fabrication labs, global market access and deep-tech hubs. This is not a scattered rise. It is structured, strategic and scalable. Kerala’s rise is not dramatic. But it is determined. What once seemed ambitious is now measurable. The message is clear. Kerala is not waiting to catch up. It is building forward. Investors are no longer looking away. They are looking in.